The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1887-08-24
wu1TEsLAvERy,N IN coLoN1ALrrMEs
kedcmptioners or Term Slaycs--Free.
WilIers and Indcnted Servants.
(From the New York post1

Many persons who consider themselves
familiar with the history of this country
are not aware that in the last century
whito men, women and children werc
held in bondage; that the colonial laws
IN favor of such servitudc were as cx-
pllclt and severe as were those in sup
port negro slavery. Such white persons
owing personal service to individual
masters were genorally known as "tcrm
slaves" though their legal status was
represented by the word "rodcmption-
cr."
Isaac Weld, Jr., in his book of travels
in America, published in the last cen
tury, asserts that it was tho custom of
slrpmasters at Rotterdam and the Hanse
| towns to inveiglo the people IN to thoir
vessels, under promise of free passage to
America. On reaching the colonies an
nouncepcnt of the arrival of mechanics
and laborers would bo made, and per
sons in want of such would flock to the
shops, and the poor Germans would be
sold to the highest bidders, the captains
pockcting the proceeds.
Redemptioners constituted in the
early part of the eighteenth century n
peculiar feature of colonial anxiety.
They were recruited from among all
manner of people in the old world and
through this channel Europe cmptied
upon America not only the virtuous poor
and oppressed of her population, but
the vagrants, felons and drcgs Of her
communities. There was thus establish
ed among the settlers society that, in
many places, was almost imbued with a
moral pcstilencc. Among the redemp-
TONERS, however, were fair proportion
OF sturdy souls, strong in purpose and
endeavor, who appreciated the great
opportunity created for them by this
complete change of life and country.
at the expiration of their term of ser
vice many, by thrift and industry, clc-
waited themselves to respectable posi-
tlons, and were absorbed in the middle
class.
There were two kinds of rcdemption-
crs "indcntcd servants" who had
bound themselves to their masters for Il
term of years previous to leaving the
old country, "frce- willcrs," who, being
without money and dcsrous of cmigrat,
ing, agreed with the captains Of ships to
allow themselves or their families to be
sold on arrival for the captains advant-
age, and thus repay costs Of passage and
other expenses. The formcr-in indcntcd
servants-were often trapped into their
engagements by corrupt agents Mt home,
who persuaded them all under false
promises of tender and humane treat
mcnt, and assurances OF remuncrativo
employment at the expiration OF service,
which would insure competent provis-
ion for the remainder of their days. The
emigrants often discovered on arrival
that the advantages to be obtained in
America had been painted by the agents
i'm ,11Iipb too :, llurip, p,inrc Er,,,nrII,-
their mastcIs forced them to most rigid
labor and exercised an unnecessary
severity.
The frec-willers suffered even worse
treatment at the hands of shipmasters
and agents. They were led TO believe
that on arrival in America their services
would be eagerly solicited by persons
who would gladly pay the costs of their
passages; which being only CO, the
omigrants would soon be able TO repay,
the cmigrants would soon be able to
repay, and thus be able to secure their
liberty and all the enjoyment and pros
pcrity that the new country offered to
adventurcrs. Agreements were entered
into whereby these deludcd ones bound
themselves, that if, on arrival, they did
not succeed within q certain number of
days iii securing employment on their
own terms, they could be sold for term
OF years to dcfray the charges for their
passages. Alas! tho "frce willers, " with
rare exceptions, had rude awakening
on reaching the colonies. Under their
agreements the captain had legal lien
on the persons of the cmigrants until
the ship charges were paid: consequent.
ly they were not allowed to 90 on shore,
but were exposed to view on deck to the
people who came on board in search of
servants. Except in cases of cxtraordi-
nary qualifications, vcIy few of them
were happy enough to make their own
stipulations, and they found themselves
sold for several years of tedious labor
and servitude.
The terms Of conditions of service
differed in the different colonies. Among
the archives of tho Pennsylvania lis
torical Society arc some original bonds,
or agreements, between ship captains
and redemptioners. From them we
learn that the usual price paid in that
colony for three years service was E2l
Is. and Cd. When his time had expired
a man was entitled to receive two suits
of clothes, II grubbing hoe, wedding
hoe and new axe. Children sold for
from C8 to G10, and their masters were
required to see that they were taught TO
read and write, and had at least one
quarters schooling.
In New Jersey according to "Lcam-
ing and Spiccr"--no white servant, if
sold or bound after seventeen years of
age, could serve above four years. If
undor that age, they were to be free on
reaching their majority. At the expira-
ton of service their master were obliged
to supply them with two good suits Of
clothing, suitable for servant, one
good felling axe, one good hoe, and
seven bushels of Indian corn. A servant
was to be Immediately freed in case of
being SO abused by master or mistress as
to result in the loss of an eye or tooth
The laws against aiding redcmptionists
to escape were very severe. A fine OF
E5 was imposed for Offering assistance
in such cases, and tho alder and abcttor
was obliged to make full satisfaction to
master or mistress for all loss, damage
n. u,okoinnl INx, 81. -